Help Save Children amid the #energycrisis

My name is Carolynne Hunter. I want to help families like mine through the cost of living crisis this winter.

My daughter Freya has cerebral palsy and complex needs. It’s essential that we keep her warm enough and power lifesaving equipment. With the energy price hikes last year, I was facing a massive electricity bill and was worried about plunging further into fuel poverty.

Despite campaigning for months to the Government about what would happen, nothing changed. I told my story and it captured the hearts of so many people, who wanted to help me, including Kate Winslet. GoFundMe reached out to let me know about the support and guided me through the fundraiser set up so that Kate and others could donate after being moved by my story. Kate and her family ended up donating £17k, changing life for Freya and me.

Now, a year on from that fundraiser, inspired by all the kind donations, I want to raise money for families in Scotland who have children with complex needs and are still struggling with expensive power bills.

If you have a child with complex needs, you cannot compromise on their care. Many need life support machines, ventilators, medicine drivers - not to mention making sure the house is warm and comfortable for them and carers.

This can result in mounting bills, debt and anxiety for parents who already have enough on their plate. I have spent the last year continuing with my campaigning to illustrate how detrimental the increase in energy prices are for families with children living with severe complex health needs who require a high level of nursing support and equipment at home. The UK and Scottish Government have failed to implement change to provide appropriate support to be put in place to prevent a Healthcare Crisis for families.

This GoFundMe is raising money for CHAS, who will be able to distribute the funds through their hardship grant. Each pound donated goes towards helping a family get through winter.

Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) is a charity, which provides support for babies, children and young people up to 21 with life shortening conditions. Through our hospices, home care and hospital teams, CHAS provides family support, respite breaks, end of life care and bereavement support to almost 400 children and their families.

“The cost-of-living crisis continues and this has remained a big focus for us and the families we support. Families must keep their house warm and run energy-hungry specialist equipment to safely care for their child and many are going into debt as a result."

Freya at Rachel House at CHAS

The more funds we can raise, the more families we will be able to help with their energy bills this year so please give what you can. Your donation can help a family heat their home this Christmas, taking a worry off their mind and helping them keep their children safe and warm.

Thank you so much for your support! x